Baby Jesus statue head recovered

Police still seeking public help to solve vandalism at The Grotto

Police have recovered the head of the Baby Jesus statue that was vandalized at The Grotto.

It was located Saturday afternoon in a dumpster behind the Travel Lodge at 3828 Northeast 82nd Ave.

The head of the Joseph statue that was also vandalized is still missing.

The Grotto is a religious sanctuary located at located at 8719 N.E. Beech St. A statue of Joseph holding the Baby Jesus and another statue of Joseph were vandalized on Nov. 28 and 29. The statues are more than 100 years old and are made from Cararra Italian marble.

According to police, at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, officers responded to the Travel Lodge after it was reported that the missing head from a Baby Jesus statue had been located. Officers arrived and talked to a person staying at the motel who found the head in a dumpster behind the motel.

Officers confirmed with Father Jack Topper from The Grotto that it was the missing head returned to him.

The head of Joseph holding the Baby Jesus had been recovered earlier. The head of the other Joseph statue is still missing.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in this case, or any unsolved felony. Those providing information can remain anonymous.

Tips can be left online at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com, text CRIMES (274637) with the subject line 823HELP followed by your tip, or by calling 503-823-HELP (4357).

Visit www.tipsoft.com to download the Crime Stoppers App for the iPhone or Droid.